vole stare toad race
6 day update.
.
the race has entered a new phase now.
the winners have been decided.
the sub 6 runners are all in.
.
but dont think for a minute that there is any less desperation
in the hearts of the runners still marching relentlessly towards the rock.
the battles may be more personal
but today we have the runners battling to finish in less than a week
inching their way towards no hope road
and sand mountain.
the beanfields beckon
the rock whispers in their ears.
.
a week…
.
was it only a week ago that these battered warriors boarded the buses?
it seems a lifetime ago.
it was a lifetime ago.
for these are not the same eager
fresh-faced hopefuls
that got on the bus with no luggage
except what they could throw away before boarding the ferry
or carry on their backs all the way home.
no.
these warriors are now veterans,
with sunburnt faces
and aching feet.
eyes squinting into the morning sun
they have no illusions any more.
they know the truth about glory.
it is not pretty words
and pithy comments….
.
it is hard
dirty
sweaty
painful
effort.
.
many have seen their friends fall by the wayside.
hope giving way to despair.
consumed by the darkness that comes for them all.
they march on,
but it is different.
.
when you see the meat wagon scoop up comrades.
when you see them stop and sit down in capitulation.
it is no longer some anonymous fate
befalling strangers
who lack the strength you have.
it is a very real possibility.
a monster lying in wait
for your moment of weakness.
all have felt the darkness.
all have peered into the void.
.
the whispering call of the rock
can so quickly be drowned out
by the siren song of surrender.
.
this pain does not have to be.
sweet sleep is so easily available.
just take out your phone
and make that call….
.
and you can sleep with the armadillos.